Virtual means towards a global end: Fostering cross-cultural learning for undergraduate students

Keywords: peer coaching, feedback, cross-cultural learning, global leadership

Abstract: Our global competitive environment is defined by complexity, turbulence, diversity, interconnectedness and rapid change. Developing current and future leaders who can perform under these conditions is huge challenge, as people are continually stretched far beyond their knowledge sets and boundaries. We explore the core capabilities that leaders need and share experiences and relevant lessons from our innovative use of virtual peer coaching. In our model, students from separate unaffiliated universities, one in the US and the other in Europe (Ireland), provide critical real-time feedback and coaching to each other as part of an entrepreneurial venture launch process. These teaching innovations place specific focus on global awareness, cross-cultural learning and accelerated leadership development. Importantly, we believe that this process can be readily adopted, adapted, replicated and scaled elsewhere. Faculty at all levels are encouraged to participate in this dynamic, important and topical conversation.